Back to Health A to Z. Ringworm is a common fungal infection. It's not caused by worms. You can usually buy medicine from a pharmacy to treat it. The main symptom of ringworm is a rash. It may look red, silver or darker than surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp tinea capitis and groin jock itch.
Remind your child not to touch bald or itchy spots on pets. Take your pet to the veterinarian if they contract ringworm. This will help avoid your pet from spreading the condition to the rest of the family and other pets.
Blog Search Enter your keywords. COVID vs. Flu vs. Behavior and Development. CHLA Insights. Essential Care. Hospital Events. Imagine Magazine. Inspiring Women. International Patient Stories. Rehab Therapies and Audiology. Work That Matters. Community Programs. Hospital News. Hospital Programs. Patient Stories. For Physicians and Clinicians. They can also survive in towels, combs, the soil, and other household objects. They are very resilient.
Dermatophyte spores spread in the following ways :. If a person or animal has the infection, they may deposit fungal spores on objects and surfaces when they touch them; anyone who touches those objects may become infected. Children usually show symptoms when they become infected, but many adults do not.
The older an individual is, the more likely their immune system will protect them. However, they may still be a carrier. The following risk factors either increase the chances of developing ringworm or make the symptoms worse:. On the body, patches grow slowly in size, and more patches can appear on other parts of the body.
The center of the patch may clear, leaving a ring. If there are several rings, they may merge. Athletes foot tends to start between the toes before spreading to the bottom or sides of the feet, or both. The skin between the toes can then turn white and become soft. On the nails, ringworm starts with a thickening of the skin under the nail, followed by a thickening and discoloration of the nails. Over time, the nails will lift, crumble, and disappear.
In the groin, the first sign is usually an itchy rash in the crease where the leg meets the body. This can spread to the groin, the inner thigh, the waist, and the buttocks. A doctor can normally diagnose ringworm or a groin infection after examining the affected area and asking the patient about their medical history and symptoms. They may take a small scraping of the skin, which will not hurt, and examine it under a microscope to look for characteristics of fungi.
The doctor will assess whether the skin problem is being caused by some other disorder, such as psoriasis. Further testing is not usually needed unless symptoms are particularly severe. If symptoms have not improved after treatment, the doctor may remove a small piece of infected skin and send it to the lab to be analyzed.
A look at nail fungal infection, including who is at risk, common causes, effective treatments, and the symptoms.
0コメント